/I don't own anything in this story. /

Chapter Eight

Looking back, it seemed like torture not having his drugs. Charlie felt like he was going to die without his drugs, but tonight, it was all over with. He defeated the evil and it felt so good. It was almost impossible, but there it was.

"Charlie, can I talk to you?"

Charlie looked up and smiled at Claire. "Sure can. You know you're more than welcome than to hang out around me."

Claire smiled and sat down next to Charlie. "I should've known that, you were always so nice to me on the beach."

"Of course, it's because I like you, Claire and I don't want anything to happen to you," Charlie responded.

Claire smiled at him and Charlie felt his heart melt. He couldn't believe he was actually falling for somebody and he hoped that this time everything would work out.

"This place is amazing. I can't believe Jack found this place," Claire stated.

"I can't either. He's a pretty amazing guy," Charlie agreed.

Claire looked at Charlie curiously. "Are you alright there, Charlie?"

Charlie grinned and nodded. How many people were going to ask him that? That was the drawback of getting away from drugs; everybody knew something was wrong with you because you went through withdrawals.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little sick right now," Charlie replied.

"Well, I would be, too, if I went through a whole cave in thing while you were still inside," Claire said. "Or at least, that's what people told me when I got here."

"Why did you come here?" Charlie asked.

"Because I figured I might need the doctor if my baby decides it wants to come," Claire said, smiling. "And anyways, who would want to be away from you?"

Charlie felt a warm glow inside him and couldn't believe that one of the most beautiful girls on the island just said that to him. And Charlie was sure that Claire meant what she said because she was one of those people who wouldn't tell a lie and was truthful.

"So how is the baby?" Charlie asked, changing the subject away from him. He got embarrassed when people fussed over him.

"I think he's doing alright. I think he's a boy, at least," Claire laughed.

"Well, I hope it's a boy, too. You look like one of those people who could take on a little baby boy," Charlie said, smiling.

"I hope you're right," Claire said.

Claire looked closer at Charlie and her eyes widened. Charlie started to panic. What was she doing?

"Where did you get those welts? Did you get stung by a bee or something?" Claire asked.

"Several bees, actually. I'm allergic to bees, as a matter of fact. These things itch like heck, I'm telling you," Charlie said.

"Oh, you poor baby. Did you put water on them?" Claire asked.

Charlie shook his head. "No, should I?"

"It won't make the welts go away, but cold water will make them feel better. Here, I'll go and get some for you," Claire stated, getting up and headed towards the spring.

Charlie shook his head. This couldn't be happening. Claire was actually telling him what he should do and trying to make him feel better. No other girl had ever done for him only, other than Charlie's brother's wife, but she was doing that out of pure charity.

Claire came back with a wet cloth and began dabbing Charlie's welts. As the water touched the welts, Charlie felt somewhat better and it seemed that his stings seemed to lesson in their stings and itching.

Claire brushed back Charlie's hair as she began dabbing the stings on his face. As she did this, Charlie felt his heart racing. This was as close as the girl ever got to him and Charlie was nervous about it.

"Well, I would say that you got the heart and stone of it when you got stung," Claire commented.

"Yeah...yeah, I did," Charlie said heavily. She was getting close, way to close and he was tempted to kiss her, but he kept himself in check.

Claire smiled at Charlie warmly. "Are you checking me out there?"

"Why would I be...I mean, yeah, I was checking you out. I think you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever laid my eyes on before," Charlie stammered.

Claire laughed and Charlie grinned foolishly. He mentally slapped himself. He wasn't being serious in this situation. He had to get a hold of himself; Claire probably didn't want him and would probably go back to her boyfriend after they got off of this island.

"Well, I think you deserve a kiss for being truthful and being so nice to me," Claire said.

"No, Claire, really, I don't deserve—" Charlie began, but didn't get to finish because Claire bent down and kissed him gently on the lips.

After a few moments, Claire pulled away and Charlie stared at her in awe. Claire smiled at him and pushed his hair back.

"Did that make you feel better, Charlie?" Claire asked.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, it did. Thanks for that refreshment, Claire."

"Don't flatter me, Charlie, I don't deserve it."

"You do more than you realize," Charlie exclaimed before he realized what he said.

"Yeah, well. I think you better go and get some rest, Charlie. I'm sure the others will be wanting you to do some heavy work tomorrow and you'll need all the strength you can get," Claire said.

Charlie nodded and stood up and headed towards the new encampment, his heart and hope rising about the clouds. He never have felt happier since the crash and hoped this would continue for a few more days. Charlie fell asleep that night with happier dreams.

Author's Note: Here's chapter eight for you all. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Sorry for not updating lately, but I've been busy lately. And yes, I managed to watch the encore thing last night so I'm all caught up and I have to say it's getting more and more interesting and when this season's over with, I'm hoping that it'll go onto DVD because I wanna own it and watch it whenever I want to.

Anyways, I'm talking too much. Happy reading and I know you love reviewing -.